The Species female wasn’t alone when she reentered the room carrying a bottled water. Dr. Kregkor followed closely behind, wearing slacks and a white dress shirt. Two of the top buttons were undone and he hadn’t even taken the time to tuck it into his pants. She had no idea why a therapist had come.
“Allison.” He gave her a curt nod as he took a seat across the table. The folder he placed between them didn’t bode well—never a good thing to see in a doctor’s hand when they wore a dour expression. “I would say it’s nice to see you again but it’s not.”
Breeze gripped one of the chairs at the end of the small table, spun it with her free hand and collapsed to straddle the back of it. She placed the water in front of Alli with gusto, the loud thump causing Alli to start.
“What is going on?”
She didn’t like it one bit, whatever it was. Her question was directed at the Species female since she didn’t know the doctor quite as well. Breeze’s dark gaze met hers and anger burned there, her emotions clear.
“I’ve been assessing Obsidian’s behavior,” Kregkor announced. “I’ve been kept informed of his progress and his mental state.”
It made sense to her. He was on the NSO payroll even if he didn’t make many visits to Homeland that she was aware of. Alli gave him her full attention. “Okay.”
He leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m very disappointed in you, Allison. You’re a disgrace.”
It was a verbal slap that stung. Breeze growled low, threatening. The doctor shot her a dirty look.
“You stay out of this. I heard your opinion but I’m the expert. The only reason you were permitted to join this meeting is because she has the right to have another woman present when enclosed in a room with a man. We’ll discuss New Species paranoid tendencies at another time.”
“You aren’t Species,” Breeze muttered but dropped her gaze. “Allison has done nothing wrong.”
“I disagree.” He examined Alli with a critical eye. “You slept with your patient while he was in a fragile stage of recovery. This is what happens when you spit in the face of physician conduct. I informed Justice that I could file charges with the medical board to have your license to practice stripped from you. You’d be ruined.”
Alli was really glad she was sitting down. Her hands trembled and she clutched the water in front of her to steady them. It was ice cold but not nearly as chilly as the attitude coming from the other man.
“Don’t threaten her,” Breeze warned. “Justice told you he wouldn’t allow you to do that and you must do what he said. You work for us. You’d break your confidentiality clause if you told anyone what happens on NSO lands. You’d be ruined.”
“Stay out of this,” Kregkor snapped back. “This is a human matter.”
“She shared sex with a Species. It’s both. You have no idea how persuasive our males can be. This isn’t Allison’s fault. He wanted her and took her.”
Alli was grateful to Breeze for attempting to defend her since she’d lost her ability to speak. It staggered her to be attacked when she hadn’t expected it. The threat of being taken in front of the medical board horrified anyone in her profession.
The doctor ignored Breeze. “You both know it was wrong, Allison.” He tapped a finger on the closed file on the table. “You kidnapped the patient to provide unorthodox methods that defy your training and are in direct opposition to the regulations of the institution you work for. To make matters even worse, you engaged in sexual intercourse with him.”
Her mouth opened but then closed. She couldn’t refute any of his accusations.
He leaned in closer. “You have become detrimental to Obsidian’s mental health. You’ve stunted his ability to make a connection with other New Species and now he nearly killed one. I have been consulting on his case since he was transferred to Homeland. I’ve seen him progressively spiral downward in a matter of days. He isn’t the first one who has gone through the process of adjusting from captivity and abuse to making the transition into becoming a functioning part of New Species society. I’ve monitored them all since I accepted this duty and it’s a travesty that you weren’t immediately fired upon your arrest. You never should have been given access to my patient.”
His words wounded but they also angered her. “Have you spoken to him?”
“No. I didn’t have to. His behavior speaks volumes. He is irrationally obsessed with engaging in intercourse with you.” He glanced at her chest before his gaze narrowed. “You obviously seduced him with your knowledge of their baser mentality regarding sex. All you had to do was flash your breasts at him and he wouldn’t have been able to resist your advances.”
Breeze growled again—a low, throaty sound that wasn’t pleasant. “Are you implying we will fuck anyone who flashes their skin at us?”
Kregkor ignored her but a muscle in his jaw ticked. “You should be arrested for molestation and rape.”
Her jaw dropped open. “You…” She clenched her teeth to prevent her from calling him a dirty-minded son of a bitch. His accusations were insulting and insane.
“Asshole,” Breeze supplied. “Quit now before I lose my temper.” She hit the desk with both fists. “Then we will really have a crime of someone being touched who doesn’t want to be. I promise it won’t involve sharing sex but it will be violent.”
Kregkor nearly knocked over his chair in his haste to get away from the angry Species female. He paled and inched closer to the door. “Stand down, Breeze. I’m strongly suggesting sessions for you.”
“I strongly suggest you stop insulting my friend.” Breeze stood too. “Get to the point of why we are here and be polite. You don’t want me to teach you manners.” Breeze shifted her gaze to Alli. “I am against this but the alternatives are grim. Obsidian could have killed Destiny. We know he isn’t feral but he’s dangerous.”
The therapist stayed by the door, clear of Breeze. “Fine. You’re leaving Homeland, Allison. Justice is sending you to Fuller Prison.”
Her heart jumped into her throat. Prison? They are locking me up? Oh god! She’d never see Obsidian again.
“As a doctor,” Breeze snarled. “You are frightening her on purpose and misleading her. Stop.” Breeze whipped her head in Alli’s direction. “The headshrinker is predicting Obsidian is a threat to the lives of other New Species. He recommended you be separated from the male immediately in order to give him a chance to bond with others. He’s using the stuff he reads in books to state that Obsidian won’t do that as long as you are here. His desire to mate seems his only priority.”
“Enough!” Kregkor shouted. “I am conducting this meeting. You’re out of line.”
“Shut up.” Breeze kept staring at Alli. “The separation will be temporary but necessary.”
Disbelief and dismay flashed through her, choking her with emotion. Her hand trembled so much the water splashed onto the tabletop and file as she opened it to take a sip to avoid actually coughing from how dry her mouth suddenly felt. She swallowed the water, struggling to find words that would keep her with the man she loved. There had to be a way.
“The decision has been made.” Breeze looked at her with sympathy as her tone softened. “The alternative is bad.”
“He will be sent to the Wild Zone?”
She hated the thought but it wasn’t the end of the world. She could live there with him. Tammy loved it there with her mate, Valiant. She’d only met the woman when she’d toured Reservation after taking her job. The week she’d spent there had been nice. She’d have a possible friend nearby and other mates either stayed or visited regularly.
“Worse,” Breeze breathed, tears filling her eyes.
Alli didn’t understand and it alarmed her that her friend was so upset. What could be worse than being sent to live with some of the most untamed, unfriendly New Species ever rescued?
“He’s dangerous and a threat to any and all New Species,” Kregkor informed her coldly. “He can’t be allowed to make another
attempt on someone else’s life. He will either integrate with society or he will be terminated.”
Alli released the bottle, her eyes widening as she stared at the therapist. “What?” She had to have heard him wrong.
“Lethal injection, Allison.” The son of a bitch crossed his arms over his chest. “They believe it would be kinder than locking him inside a prison cell until he dies naturally. I tend to agree. They can’t have him going around murdering people because he doesn’t get his way. You are responsible if his mind can’t be salvaged. Are you proud of yourself? This is what happens when you decide to throw your ethics in the garbage to scratch an itch.”
Breeze spun, snarling at him. “Get out!”
He hit his shoulder against the wall when he fell back, terror widening his eyes as he yelled, “Security!”
The door jerked open, nearly slamming into the asshole. “What is wrong?” The male officer sought out Allison first then glanced at Kregkor.
“Get him out of here,” Breeze ordered. “He’s being offensive.”
“You don’t give the orders here.” Kregkor found some courage to stand up to the pissed-off Species now that an officer had arrived.
Breeze narrowed her eyes and stalked a few feet closer. The therapist looked as if he were about to piss himself as he jumped to wedge himself between the door opening and the Species officer.
“Get him out of here, Flame.” Breeze growled at Kregkor. “He’s more afraid of me than you, head shrink.”
“No doubt,” Flame muttered, turning to grab the therapist’s arm. “Let me take you to get some coffee. You must never anger one of our females. You should know better.” He gently pushed, forcing the guy out of the room, until the door closed.
Alli was ready to fall apart as she waited for Breeze to look at her. “He’s lying, right? Nobody is going to kill Obsidian, right?” Her voice rose, close to hysteria.
“Sit,” Breeze urged, taking a seat to her immediate right.
Her knees collapsed and her ass hit the chair hard. “No one would allow that to happen. Not here. Not after all he’s gone through and survived.”
Warm hands took her shaking ones, holding on to them. “Allison, we had a few males go crazy and they attempted to murder Justice and Jessie while they slept inside his home when he chose her for a mate. They were Species who were not right in their heads. It was a very difficult decision that had to be made after that happened. We have to protect our people from anyone who would do us harm. That includes other Species with minds that are too broken to ever be fixed.”
“No!” Hot tears ran freely down her face. “Obsidian isn’t dangerous. He’s not. He and Destiny don’t get along. That’s all. He doesn’t know any better. He just needs time. I’ll talk to him and make him understand. I can do it.” She nodded furiously. “We can live at Wild Zone, away from everyone if that makes him seem safer to you.” Her voice broke. “You can’t kill him. I won’t allow it.” Her mind raced, desperation clawing at her insides. “I’ll go to the press. I’ll do anything to save him, damn it. You can’t do this! I won’t let you.”
Breeze leaned in, watching her with her own tears shining in her pretty brown eyes. “Shut up. Take deep breaths right now.”
Alli’s chest hurt too bad to do it at first and instead she just managed to pant.
“Don’t make threats,” Breeze whispered. “You’d be viewed as hostile and while you don’t care right now, you would when you found yourself locked inside a cage at Fuller Prison instead of treating their sick. I know you’d do anything to save him. I would too. That’s why you need to listen to me. I have no intention of allowing your male to die. We are friends and you love him.” She studied Alli closely. “You need to calm down and listen to me while we’re alone. Do you trust me?”
Obsidian’s life was in danger. Alli silently pleaded with Breeze—her only hope in saving him. “Yes.” They were friends. She knew what a great, kind woman the Species was. She had a big heart despite her gruff exterior at times.
“You are willingly going to allow them to transfer you to Fuller Prison to be a doctor there. I am going to make sure Obsidian learns how to play nice with others. Moon and some of my friends will help me. We’ll take care of him, Alli. We’ll make sure he knows you didn’t leave him and that you’re coming back. It will motivate him to stop attacking others. I know our males and they are damn good at getting what they want. He wants you.” She paused, released one of Alli’s hands, and wiped at her tears. “Once everyone sees he can be calm and fit in, Justice will stop listening to that head shrink. I’ll get you back here to Obsidian.”
“How?” She was able to compose herself a little.
“I will. Trust me on that.”
A thousand things could go wrong. “How long?”
Breeze wiped the other side of her face, using her pants to dry her fingers. “I don’t know. Weeks. Maybe months. It depends on how stubborn Obsidian is. You need to be a good doctor and keep your job at Fuller so I have access to bring you back.”
“He’s really stubborn,” she admitted. “What if he won’t listen to you or Moon?”
“He will. He wants you back.”
Alli wanted to fall completely apart but it wouldn’t do any good. The logical side of her knew that. “Will you promise me something?”
Breeze leaned back, releasing her other hand. “What?”
“You need to let me see him first if the worst-case happens.” She mentally plotted kidnapping him again. She’d hire whoever the hell she had to, no matter how much it cost, to save Obsidian if they felt he was too dangerous to live. They’d flee the country. Mercile employees had done it and were still on the loose. “Promise me.” She held her breath, praying.
“I promise.”
“Swear on your life,” Alli prompted.
Breeze smiled. “You got it.” Her smile faded. “You will get to say goodbye to him if he’s too stubborn to listen to reason.”
“Thank you.” She’d have to believe her since she didn’t have any other choice. Her gut instinct told her that Breeze wouldn’t lie to her.
* * * * *
Justice pulled Jessie onto his lap as he watched Fury crawl on all fours closer to Salvation’s back. The child sniffed, his little body tense and slowly turned his head.
“I can’t sneak up on him anymore.” Fury pulled his son into his arms, the boy giggling, dropping his toy to cling to his father instead. “He’s becoming more aware of his keener senses.”
“He keeps trying though,” Ellie teased, stepping into the living room with a tray of snacks. “Is Daddy trying to steal your toys again and make you jump when he scares you? Bad Daddy!”
Jessie laughed. “I’m going to think it’s a riot if those are the first words he learns to speak.” She sobered. “Of course that’s better than some of the things our future children will pick up at our house.” Her head turned to study her mate. “They’ll be of the four-lettered variety judging by the way my mate reacts to phone calls.”
Justice shook his head. “I have a defense.”
“You hate being called after you leave the office? What was the emergency anyway? You left too fast to tell me what was going on.”
Justice glanced away to stare at Fury. “Obsidian attempted to kill Destiny at the men’s dorm.”
“What was he doing there?” Fury nuzzled his son’s cheek, handing him the plastic truck. “Is Destiny harmed? Obsidian?”
“Destiny was injured but he’ll heal. Obsidian was taken to Medical to be checked over as well. Trisha wanted to make sure he doesn’t slip back into a coma. She said it’s doubtful but she is being cautious. I agreed.”
Ellie sat next to her mate and son on the floor. “Sounds typical of newly freed males. They enjoy fighting and are aggressive.”
“Uh-oh. I don’t like that look.” Jessie peered into her mate’s eyes. “He’s not really settling in, is he? You’re worried? There was the fight with Jericho, then he was belligerent with yo
u and Fury, and now this. What was he even doing at the dorm? He had been moved to Allison’s last I heard today. Did they get into another argument?”
“The males were giving him a tour of his future home and Destiny challenged him over Allison. He’s protective and worries Obsidian might be too rough to be around her.” Justice sighed. “Kregkor happened to be in his office when the incident report came in to alert Medical that both males were being brought there. That was why I was delayed getting here. He’s suggested we put Obsidian down for being too dangerous.”
The mood of the room changed, the tension level high.
“We don’t bust our asses to locate and save Species just to kill them. I know we have to consider the option but Obsidian is a special case. That guy has been through hell and he’s going to need more time to adjust to being here. It’s that simple.” Jessie cooled her temper. “The shrink is an asshole anyway. I had a run-in with him before I left the office. I hope you told him to kiss your ass and leave. He’s barely here anyway. He’s about as helpful as a tick on my ass.”
Humor struck Justice. “A bloodsucking bug?”
“That’s exactly how I think of him after he pissed me off.” Jessie shrugged. “He stormed into my office to demand I have Allison arrested. You were in a meeting so he decided I would be the one to annoy.”
“Arrested for the kidnapping?” Ellie sounded annoyed. “It’s none of his business. That issue was dealt with.”
“He didn’t agree with our punishment for her.” Fury handed his son a cracker. “He said it was a reward to offer her a job at Fuller Prison. I told him he hadn’t been to that facility and no one would enjoy spending time with anyone who used to work for Mercile. Those prisoners would have been her patients if she’d taken the job.”
Jessie glanced at everyone. “You’re going to love this one. You ready?”
Ellie lifted a cracker off the tray. “Will I choke if this is in my mouth? You have that tone.”
Obsidian (New Species, Book Eight) Page 24